Herb Sauce

Chef Jason Fox of San Francisco's Commonwealth uses xanthan gum to maintain the fresh flavor of the herbs in this simple sauce. It's delicious with roasted or steamed fish, poached eggs or chicken breast.

Ingredients

2 cups flat-leaf parsley leaves

1 cup loosely packed chives, snipped

1/2 cup loosely packed chervil leaves

1/2 cup loosely packed tarragon leaves

2 1/4 cups cold water

0.5 gram (1/8 teaspoon) xanthan gum

4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Salt

Freshly ground white pepper

Instructions

Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil and fill a bowl with ice water. Add the herbs to the saucepan and blanch for 15 seconds. Drain and immediately transfer the herbs to the ice water to cool. Drain, gently squeezing out the excess water.

Transfer the herbs to a blender. Add the cold water and puree until smooth. With the blender on, add the xanthan gum and puree until slightly thickened, about 15 seconds. Blend in the lemon juice and season with salt and white pepper. Use the sauce right away.